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The American Dream

“That dream of a land in which life should be better and richer, and fuller for everyone with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” – James Truslow, Historian

The home of the land and the land of the brave – America

The dream is an illusion due to the corruption

Poor get poorer and the rich get richer

The American Dream is the idea that American social, economic and political success is achievable for everyone regardless of race, gender, class, nationality. It’s where opportunities are based off ability and achievement rather than social classes, political views, etc. If you put in enough effort, you will be rewarded with wealth, etc.

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby

Gatsby worked hard but illegally. Gatsby shows the corruption version of the dream

Valley of Ashes and Wilson. These people work hard every day but they remain poor and their lives are a struggle. These people and this setting represent the illusion of the dream. They believe if they strive for it but it never comes.

Tom and Daisy. Have not worked at all and are born into ‘the dream’. They don’t live the ‘dream’lifestyle because their lives are centred around ‘things’ and ‘events’.